She is
called "the Penitent". St. Mary was given the name 'Magdalen' because, though a
Jewish girl, she lived in a Gentile town called Magdale, in northern Galilee,
and her culture and manners were those of a Gentile. St. Luke records that she
was a notorious sinner, and had seven devils removed from her. She was present
at Our Lords' Crucifixion, and with Joanna and Mary, the mother of James and
Salome, at Jesus' empty tomb. Fourteen years after Our Lord's death, St. Mary
was put in a boat by the Jews without sails or oars - along with Sts. Lazarus
and Martha, St. Maximin (who baptized her), St. Sidonius ("the man born blind"),
her maid Sera, and the body of St. Anne, the mother of the Blessed Virgin. They
were sent drifting out to sea and landed on the shores of Southern France, where
St. Mary spent the rest of her life as a contemplative in a cave known as
Sainte-Baume. She was given the Holy Eucharist daily by angels as her only food,
and died when she was 72. St. Mary was transported miraculously, just before she
died, to the chapel of St. Maximin, where she received the last sacraments.

More about this saint: St. Mary Magdalen (Feast day - July
22) Mary Magdalen was well known as a sinner when she first saw Our Lord. She
was very beautiful and very proud, but after she met Jesus, she felt great
sorrow for her evil life. When Jesus went to supper at the home of a rich man
named Simon, Mary came to weep at His feet. Then with her long beautiful hair,
she wiped His feet dry and anointed them with expensive perfume. Some people
were surprised that Jesus let such a sinner touch Him, but Our Lord could see
into Mary's heart, and He said: "Many sins are forgiven her, because she has
loved very much." Then to Mary He said kindly, "Your faith has made you safe; go
in peace." From then on, with the other holy women, Mary humbly served Jesus and
His Apostles. When Our Lord was crucified, she was there at the foot of His
cross, unafraid for herself, and thinking only of His sufferings. No wonder
Jesus said of her: "She has loved much." After Jesus' body had been placed in
the tomb, Mary went to anoint it with spices early Easter Sunday morning. Not
finding the Sacred Body, she began to weep, and seeing someone whom she thought
was the gardener, she asked him if he knew where the Body of her beloved Master
had been taken. But then the person spoke in a voice she knew so well: "Mary!"
It was Jesus, risen from the dead! He had chosen to show Himself first to Mary
Magdalen, the repentent sinner.

The Rosary of St. Mary Magdalene in
Seven Mysteries

For Prayer with the Franciscan Crown

A pilgrimage of liberation and
enlightenment

General Instructions for the Rosary of Mary
Magdalene

Begin by having an intention in mind for the rosary.
Then begin with:

The Sign of the Cross

Holding the cross in the right hand
(if right handed), with the rest of the rosary in the left hand, bless yourself
with the Invocation:

+In
the Name of God, the Living One, Word, and Spirit. Amen.

Opening Prayer

What binds us is slain, what surrounds
us is destroyed, all desire is gone, ignorance is dead. We are free to
remember eternity. We shall rest in Silence for all ages and aeons.
Amen.

On the first bead after the cross say
the "Our Father": Many people prefer to use an alternative prayer to
affirm that God is beyond all gender:

Our Mother,
with us on earth, holy is your name, your true reign come, your will be done,
within us as it is within you. Give us this day our daily bread, and
forgive us our sins, as we forgive those whose sins have oppressed us, and lead
us not into confusion, but enlighten us with your wisdom. Amen.

On the
next three beads say the "AVE MARIA": Hail
Mary, full of grace; the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and
blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray
for us now, and at the hour of death. Amen.

After the third AVE MARIA hold the
chain and say the GLORIA PATRI: Glory to you, O
God, Living One, Word, and Spirit. Now, and for all ages and aeons.
Amen.

Some may want
to substitute the traditional prayer: Glory be to the Father, and to the
Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is how and ever shall
be, world without end. Amen.

Name the mystery and read the thoughts
and prayer that follow each one. Begin with the DO NOT WEEP: on the bead just
before the medal and THE SAVIOR HAS MADE ME WORTHY on the next ten beads
following the medal. On the chain following these ten beads, say the GLORIA
PATRI...with the BLESSED are you...Then, name the next mystery and proceed as
above until all the mysteries have been said End with the closing prayer and
novena.

Opening
Prayer

What binds us is slain, what surrounds us is
destroyed, all desire is gone, ignorance is dead. We are free to remember
eternity. We shall rest in silence for all ages and aeons.
Amen

Prayer of LeviPray on the large
bead:Do not weep and do not grieve, The Savior's grace is with you.
Let us praise the One who made us truly human. Amen.

Prayer of Mary MagdalenePray on the ten beads of each
decadeThe Savior has made me worthy, and knows me very well.
Jesus loves me beyond all measure. I drink from the stream of
Living Water. I have seen the Lord. Amen.

Gloria PatriGlory to you, O God, Living One, Word, and
Spirit, now and for all ages and aeons. Amen. Blessed are you that
did not waver at the sight of me, for where your mind is, there is your
treasure. Amen.

First Mystery:
The journey from darkness to LIGHT.

Afterward Jesus journeyed from one
town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the
reign of God. Accompanying him were the Twelve and some women who had been cured
of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons
had gone out, Joanna, the wife of Herod's steward Chuza, Susanna, and many
others who provided for them out of their resources. Luke 8:1-3

Prayer: O God, through the
intercession of St. Mary Magdalene, may we receive the grace to relinquish our
illnesses and infirmities, begin our journey out of darkness towards the dawn,
and open ourselves to the light of God, that we may be enlightened and raised to
new life and consciousness. Amen.

On the large bead: Do not
weep

On the ten beads: The Savior
has made me worthy

On the chain: Glory to
you...Blessed are you

Second
Mystery: The journey from desire to
non-attachment

I am dark but lovely, O daughters
of Jerusalem As the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Salma. Do not
stare at me because I am swarthy, because the sun has burned me. My
brothers have been angry with me; they charged me with the care of the vineyard;
my own vineyard I have not cared for. Song of Songs
1:4-5

Prayer: O God, through the
intercession of St. Mary Magdalene, help us follow the inner path of abandonment
and non-attachment, that we may ascend with Jesus to a new awareness of love and
so better serve others in the vineyard of the Lord. Amen.

Third Mystery:

The journey from ignorance to
knowledge

As they
continued their journey he entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha
welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary [who] sat beside the Lord at his feet
listening to him speak. Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and
said, Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the
serving? Tell her to help me. The Lord said to her in reply, Martha, Martha,
you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing.
Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her Luke
10:38-42

Prayer: O God, through the
intercession of St. Mary Magdalene, who learned the inner knowledge at the
feet of the Savior, grant that we may so fully enter the depths of our own
hearts that we may discover therein the burning flame of Divine Love.
Amen.

Fourth Mystery: The Journey from
death into life:

When Mary came to where Jesus was and
saw him, she fell at his feet and said to him, Lord, if you had been here, my
brother would not have died. When Jesus saw her weeping, he became perturbed
and deeply troubled, and said, Where have you laid him? They said to him,
Sir, come and see. And Jesus wept. Jesus cried out in a loud voice,
Lazarus, come out! And the dead man came out. So Jesus said, Untie him
and let him go. Jn 11:32-35; 43-44.

Prayer: O God, through the
intercession of St. Mary Magdalene, may we pass safely from the pits of despair
to the gardens of life, mindful of the deep love of the Savior.
Amen.

Fifth Mystery:The journey from the
material to spiritual

And as Mary wept, she bent over into
the tomb and saw two angels in white sitting there, and they said to her,
Woman, why are you weeping? She said to them, They have taken my Lord, and I
don't know where they laid him. Then she turned around and saw Jesus there, but
did not know it was Jesus. He said to her, Why are you weeping? Whom do you
seek? She thought it was the gardener and said to him, Sir, if you have
carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him. Jesus said
to her, Mary! She turned and said to him in Hebrew, Rabbouni, which means
Teacher. Jn 20:11-16

Prayer: O God, through the
intercession of St. Mary Magdalene, whose heart was cleansed and opened by
Jesus, help us open the doors of our hearts to rise up and meet the Savior who
illuminates our souls . Amen.

Sixth Mystery:
The journey from earthly thought to the heavenly wisdom of Holy
Sophia

Jesus said to her, Stop holding on to me, for I have
not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, I am going
to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God. Mary of Magdala went and
announced to the disciples, I have seen the Lord, Jn. 20:18

Prayer: O God, through the
intercession of St. Mary Magdalene, may we receive the grace and presence of
Holy Wisdom, to raise us up from error into your heavenly realm of knowledge and
light. Amen.

Seventh Mystery:
The journey from wrath and self-will to the Love of Christ-Sophia

Kiss me with the kisses of your mouth. More delightful is
your love than wine. Your name spoken is a spreading perfume, that is why
the maidens love you. Draw me! Song of Songs 1:2-4

Prayer: O God, through the
intercession of St. Mary Magdalene, may we be anointed with the gift of
spiritual love which is wine and fragrance, and may the name of the Savior
spoken with love be a spreading perfume which draws us to the royal banquet, for
the nourishment, healing, and liberation of all humanity.
Amen.

Closing Prayer

What binds us is slain, what surrounds
us is destroyed, all desire is gone, ignorance is dead. We are free to
remember eternity. We shall rest in silence for all ages and aeons.
Amen.

Novena to St Mary Magdalene

Mary Magdalene accompanied
Jesus through much of his ministry. We do not know how long, but her experience
of being "freed from seven demons" turned her life around and she became a
devoted follower. When most of the disciples fled into hiding, she was one of
the few who followed Jesus to Calvary. She witnessed the horror of his death -
the blood and water flowing from his side - and the burial and sealing of the
tomb. She knew the reality of his death and burial.Her devotion took her
back to the tomb in the company of other women. The Gospel accounts differ in
the details but in John's, Mary's love for Jesus makes her unable to leave the
tomb. Her Lord is dead - the loss of his body the ultimate catastrophe ... but
through her, Jesus was going to tell the apostles and ultimately the whole world
the great truth that he had conquered death and was risen to new life.We
invite her to walk with us - reflecting on the first Easter morning when death
gave way to newness of life - despair was healed by hope - and the embryonic
Church looked to new horizons which would take it to the ends of the earth and
far into a future it could not have imagined...We are part of that future
and take our place in the great unfolding of the life of the Church, praying and
discerning how we announce the Good News of Jesus' life, death and resurrection
to the people of the twenty-first century and hand on the rich legacy of our
faith into a future we cannot imagine. The Novena nine days of prayer
could fill the Easter Octave (and a little beyond!) or the period from
Ascension Thursday to Pentecost the nine days leading to the Feast of Mary
Magdalene (22 July) or any time when a time of reflection and prayer about a
decision might be helpful. It is suitable for personal use but could
profitably be used in a small group.Each day for nine days, we will take two
verses from John's account (20: 1-18) - use them for contemplation - and then
ask for the intercession of Mary Magdalene who so obviously loved and was loved
by Jesus to pray for the blessing of God and an outpouring of the gifts of the
Spirit.

Day 1: The darkest hour just before
dawn....

ReadingEarly on the first day of the week, while it was
still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been
removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other
disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord
out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him."

WonderingWhat drew Mary back to the tomb? What went
through her mind as she looked into the tomb? What was going through it as she
ran back to Simon Peter and the disciple Jesus loved - probably John who
recorded this account of the resurrection?

ContemplatingYou might like to spend a few minutes
reading the Scripture passage and see if any words or phrases seem to be
especially significant. How might God be speaking to you? You might like to jot
down any thoughts in a spiritual journal.or...Spend a few minutes building
the scene. It can be helpful to put yourself in the shoes of a film director
working to recapture the atmosphere of the scene. You could even sketch out the
scene. What would the scenery be like? Where do the main characters appear from?
How are they behaving? Are there any "extras" - and where are they - what are
they doing? Then, try to put yourself into one of the characters to see how it
might have seemed to them... how might they have been feeling?

ReflectingOf all outcomes, this was the least expected
- how could the empty tomb be explained? This was beyond their
experience.How might some of the feelings of those in the Gospel be echoed
in your own experience?Pray for those for whom this time is a period of
confusion and fear.

PrayingMary of Magdala, woman at the
tomb.You did not yet know what awaited youbut felt confusion - doubt and
loss.Pray for those whose feelings you so well understand.Guide us
through your story to the hope of resurrection.Our Father...Hail
Mary...Glory be...

Day 2: Going to see for themselves

ReadingThen Peter and the other disciple set
out and went toward the tomb. The two were running together, but the other
disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.

WonderingWhat do the people watching the
disciples make of seeing two grown men running through the streets? What might
have been going through the disciples' minds as they ran?

ContemplatingSpend a few minutes reading the
Scripture passage and see if any words or phrases seem to be especially
significant to you. What might God be saying to you - perhaps, in your own life.
If you are using a spiritual journal, add any thoughts or insights.
or...Spend a few minutes building the scene. Use the film-director approach
if that worked yesterday or allow the scene to build in your imagination. What
new insights emerge as you contemplate this part of the story?

ReflectingOften people will tell us something
but we sense the need to go and see for ourselves. Many things go through our
minds - all sorts of possibilities - we can get carried away by our
imaginations. Pray for those who may be caught up in "fearing the worst".

PrayingMary of Magdala,as you ran back
to the tomb you knew to be empty,your heart and mind were in
turmoil.Pray for those who fear the worst -who are troubled by what might
be.Guide us through your story to the promise that all shall be well.Our
Father...Hail Mary...Glory be...

Day 3: Waiting ... and acting
...

ReadingThe disciple bent
down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there but he did not go in.
Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen
wrappings lying there.

WonderingWhy did the disciple Jesus loved wait
even though he had seen the linen wrappings? What might have been going through
his mind? What about Peter? What was his reaction to what he saw? What gave him
the courage to go into the tomb of one who had been dead for two days

ContemplatingSpend a few minutes reading the
Scripture passage and see if any words or phrases seem to be especially
significant. Why might the word or phrase be important - in your own life? Make
a mental note of any insights or jot down any thoughts in a spiritual
journal.or...Spend a few minutes building the scene in whatever way is
helpful - in the shoes of a film director - or sketching the scene. What
insights do you get from the action in this part of the story? How are people
reacting as it unfolds?

ReflectingThere is a time for waiting - and a
time for finding the courage to act in ways we would not have thought possible.
Pray for those for whom this is a time of waiting ... and for those for whom
it is time to find the courage to do things they do not yet think they can.

PrayingMary of Magdala,you waited at
the foot of the cross -but found courage to return to the tomb to anoint
your Lord.Pray for those who wait - and those finding the courage to
act.Guide us all through your story to the hope of resurrection.Our
Father...Hail Mary...Glory be...

Day 4: Seeing and believing

ReadingPeter saw the cloth that had been on Jesus' head
(was) not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself.
Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw
and believed.

WonderingWhy does John point out the detail
about the cloth that had covered Jesus' face? How does seeing the grave clothes
as they are lead him to believe - and what is he believing in at this moment -
he has not yet seen the Lord?

ContemplatingSpend a few minutes reading and reflecting
on the Scripture passage. What springs to mind as you ponder the words and
phrases? How might these ideas feed into your own life? Jot down any thoughts in
a spiritual journal. Are any threads beginning to emerge?or...Spend a few
minutes building the scene. How might a film director film the scene? What would
they focus on? What kind of atmosphere would they be trying to create? How do
the participants in this drama feel at this point?

ReflectingWe cannot always say what leads us
to believe... quite often it is a glimpse - a moment when we recognise that
there is something beyond what we can see and touch. It is this faith that
sustains us through the any changes that happen in our lives. Pray for a
strengthening of faith for those who feel on the fringes or marginalised.

PrayingMary of Magdala,woman of faith,
pray for those whose belief is tested -who feel that they are not good
enough -who feel they do not belong.Guide us all through your story to the
hope of resurrection.Our Father...Hail Mary...Glory be...

Day 5: Faith leading to
understanding

ReadingAs yet
they did not understand the scripture that he must rise from the dead. Then the
disciples returned to their homes.

WonderingWhat was the mood of the disciples as
they turned back to go home? What were their expectations about what might
happen next?

ContemplatingA very short piece but continue
to read it through a few times, allowing the words to sink deep within you. Are
there words or insights from the passage than seem important as we pass the
halfway point in our Novena,or...Spend a few minutes building the scene in
whatever way you find most helpful. How do the disciples take their leave of
Mary? What is the "feel" of the scene at this point?

ReflectingFaith often comes before
understanding. We believe - but may have to reflect - read - contemplate -
experience something differently before we move to understanding. Reflecting and
learning how to make our faith yet more alive and active is for some people
exciting - for others it is a challenge.Pray for people who are excited -
and those who are challenged.

PrayingMary of Magdala,you did not
understand but you believed.Pray for as we seek to understand more
fullywhat God wills for us.Pray for those for whom this is an exciting
timeand for those for whom it is difficult and challenging. Guide us all
through your story to the hope of resurrection.Our Father...Hail
Mary...Glory be...

Day 6: Staying in the dark
places...

ReadingBut Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept she bent over
to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white sitting where the body of
Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet.

WonderingWhat is Mary's state of mind now?
What might her reaction have been to seeing the two angels?

ContemplatingAs you ponder the reading, which
words or phrases seem to be especially significant to you. What might God be
saying to you - perhaps, for your own life and for your community. If you are
using a spiritual journal, add any thoughts or insights - and perhaps look back
to see if there are any links that are beginning to form. or...Spend a few
minutes building the scene using whatever technique has helped you over recent
days. Try to put yourself in Mary's shoes as the scene begins to move to its
fulfilment.

ReflectingMary is struggling to come to terms
with what is happening... but still she stays in the place where things don't
yet make sense. This is a feeling we can identify with ... sometimes we do need
to walk away from something but on other occasions we realise we have to stay in
a spiritual place until God deems it the right time to offer us the revelation
that allows us to move on. Pray for those who find themselves "stuck" -
whose faith feels empty and whose prayer seems dry.

PrayingMary of Magdala,you still did
not know what was to come -but your love for the Lord held you by his
tomb.Pray for those who are in dark places -who feel without hope and
for whom the idea of a Pastoral Plan feels burdensome.Guide us all through
your story to the hope of resurrection.Our Father...Hail
Mary...Glory be...

Day 7: Not knowing what is to
come...

They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She
said to them, "They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have
laid him." When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing
there, but she did not know that it was Jesus.

WonderingIs Mary comforted by the words of the
angels - or further confused? She turns and sees Jesus but does not yet
recognise him... why not?

ContemplatingWe are reaching the climax of the
story - but are not there yet... Read the passage a few times and see what ideas
or thoughts begin to emerge.Make a note of your thoughts - jot them down
and, if you are using the Novena in a group, prepare to receive the insights of
others.or...Spend a few minutes building the scene in whatever way you have
found has worked for you. What fears might be within Mary at this point -
and what hope against hope?

ReflectingWe who know the story know what's
coming and have a feeling of anticipation - but Mary does not. We ourselves
sometimes wonder: what will be asked of me? Will I like what I see and hear?
Pray for a willingness to wait to see what God is to reveal...

PrayingMary of Magdala,still
sorrowful,even you could not at first recognise your Lord.Guide us all
through your story to the hope of resurrection.Our Father...Hail
Mary...Glory be...

Day 8: The moment of
recognition...

ReadingJesus
said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?" Supposing
him to be the gardener, she said to him, "Sir, if you have carried him away,
tell me where you have laid him and I will take him away."Jesus said to her,
"Mary!" She turned and said to him, "Rabbouni!" (which means
"Teacher).

WonderingHow did Jesus approach Mary? At what
point did Mary recognise her Lord?

ContemplatingOne of our longest pieces in the
account of Mary on that first Easter morning... Read it through several times
and allow any significant words or phrases to sink into your soul. Why are they
important to you? Make a note of them and prepare to use them to feed into your
mind and spirit.or...Spend a few minutes building the scene in whatever way
you find most helpful. If as a film director - enjoy the scene
unfolding... if in imagination - simply enjoy!

ReflectingMany people have moments of
recognising something that holds promise and builds on the many good things that
have been happening. Pray for them - for the moment of grace which may
affect the rest of their lives.

PrayingMary of Magdala,your moment of
recognition echoes down the centuriesas we learn to recognise our Lord in
Word and Communion.Pray for those experiencing such a moment of
recognisingsomething founded on the rich legacy of faith and love of
countless millions of believers around the world. Pray too for those who
contributed to its development.Guide us all through your story to the
hope of resurrection.Our Father...Hail Mary...Glory
be...

Day 9: Go and tell...

ReadingJesus said to her, "Do not hold on to me because
I have not yet ascended to my Father. But go and tell my disciples and say to
them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your
God.'"Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the
Lord"; and she told them that he had said these things to her.

WonderingIt seems a little of the story has
been missed out... what might Mary's reaction have been that caused Jesus to
tell her not to cling to him? What about when she is sent to the disciples? And
what of their reaction?

ContemplatingRead the passage a few times and
see what ideas or thoughts emerge. Look back over your journal or take a mental
trip back over the last nine days. Read the whole story - reminding yourself of
the thoughts that accompanied it....Spend a few minutes building the scene
in whatever way you have found has worked for you. Allow the scene to play
out in your mind. How do the feelings change?

ReflectingWe are people, like Mary, with a
mission - to tell people what we have seen - what we have heard - what we
believe... Pray that we may live faithfully the command to go and
tell...

PrayingMary of Magdala,woman of the
resurrection.Pray for us as we too go and tell what we know -that Jesus is
alive and at work through us.Guide us all through your story teach us to
live always in the light of the resurrection.Our Father...Hail
Mary...Glory be...

REFLECTION.-"Compunction of heart,"
says St. Bernard, "is a treasure infinitely to be desired, and an unspeakable
gladness to the heart. It is healing to the soul ; it is remission of sins ; it
brings back again the Holy Spirit into the humble and loving heart."

INTERCESSORY PRAYER: Ask Saint Mary Magdalene to intercede for us today that we may
turn completely away from ours sins with deep and true
sorrow.

May
the prayers of blessed Mary Magdalene help us, O Lord, for it was in answer to
them that Thou didst call her brother Lazarus, our days after death, back
from the grave to life, Who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy
Ghost, Unity in Trinity, world without end.Amen.

Contrary to the social customs
of his time, Jesus spent much time alone with women, and treated them equally
among his followers. He empowered women to be his witnesses equally with
men. Such radical social change was not sustained by ancient society and
Jesus practices were not continued by the historical church. The witness
of Mary Magdalene has only been recovered in modern times. Her feast day
is July 22.

St. Mary Magdalene is known as the
Apostola Apostolorum the Apostle of the Apostles because of her role in the
accounts of the events surrounding the Resurrection. As Dominicans we seek to
imitate her great faith and zeal in proclaiming the Good News of the Lord. Yet,
a further connection can be established that links this saint, regarded as a
patroness of the Order, to the Dominican family.

In the thirteenth century, great
efforts were put forth in France, Italy, and Germany to convert women who led
sinful lives. When such conversions were made, bishops grouped these women
together into communities who took St. Mary Magdalene as their patroness. In
Germany, these communities of women were given the Constitutionsof the Dominican
Nuns and incorporated into the Dominican Order.

In 1286, Charles II turned the
Dominican Order toward devotion to St. Mary Magdalene. In 1297, the feast of St.
Mary Magdalene was celebrated with solemnity throughout the Order, as the
General Chapter of Bologna had recommended.

Why Mary Magdalene? Dominicans strive
to be apostles, preaching the gospel of Christ, and so draw their inspiration
from she who was so closely associated with Christ and the early history of the
Order. Further, it seems that St. Mary Magdalene, in tradition and in
literature, is constantly endowed with three characteristics: she is the
converted sinner, she is the contemplative soul and she is the herald of the
Resurrection. These characteristics powerfully describe the preaching office and
thus our Dominican life. How can one speak of the mercy of God if one has not
experienced it oneself? How can one speak of God without speaking with God?

The life of St. Mary Magdalene as
portrayed in the four Gospels serves as a model and a reminder not only for
Dominicans, but also for all Christians, that to be fruitful apostles we must
first be faithful disciples. In order to hear the call of Christ and follow it
unreservedly, we must undergo a conversion of heart. As a sinner-turned-saint,
Mary Magdalene's life testifies that allowing the reality of our sinfulness to
keep us from our vocation to follow Christ is a mistake. We see in this woman
that Jesus calls, that Jesus heals, that Jesus brings the true freedom which
enables her to embrace her vocation to holiness. We are inspired to embrace Him
in that same freedom.

The interior freedom won for us by
Christ leads to the freedom of self-giving. St. Luke counts Mary Magdalene among
those who provided for Jesus out of her means (cf. Luke 8:3). St. Mary Magdalene
shows us that the only proper response to the limitless love of Christ is to
love without limit in return. She places every gift at the service of Christ and
His Kingdom, returning love for love.

Thou who didst enter the Pharisee's
house to anoint the feet of Jesus,pray for us.

Who didst wash His feet with thy
tears,pray for us.

Who didst dry them with thy
hair,pray for us.

Who didst cover them with
kisses,pray for us.

Who wast vindicated by Jesus before
the proud Pharisee,pray for us.

Who from Jesus received the pardon of
thy sins,pray for us.

Who before darkness wast restored to
light,pray for us.

Mirror of penance,pray for
us.

Disciple of Our Lord,pray for
us.

Wounded with the love of
Christ,pray for us.

Most dear to the Heart of
Jesus,pray for us.

Constant woman,pray for
us.

Last at the Cross of Jesus, first at
His tomb, pray for us.

Thou who wast the first to see Jesus
risen,pray for us.

Whose forehead was sanctified by the
touch of thy risen Master,pray for us.

Apostle of apostles,pray for
us.

Who didst choose the "better
part,"pray for us.

Who lived for many years in solitude
being miraculously fed,pray for us.

Who wast visited by angels seven times
a day,pray for us.

Sweet advocate of sinners, Spouse of
the King of Glory,pray for us.

V. Saint Mary Magdalene,
earnestly intercede for us with thy Divine Master,
R. That we may share thy happiness in Heaven.

Let Us Pray

May the glorious merits of blessed
Mary Magdalene,we beseech Thee, O Lord, make our offerings acceptable to
Thee, for Thine only-begotten Son vouchsafed graciously to accept the
humble service she rendered. We ask this through Him Who liveth
and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, God forever and
ever.

Amen.

We praise the Good Lord for the wondrous
works he has performed in this world. His ways are truly mysterious,
wonderful and awe-inspiring.

A woman of many sins, Mary Magdalene's soul
had been touched at the house of Simon the Pharisee. The beautiful
courtesan weeps at the feet of Jesus as she anoints Him with her tears of sorrow
and the fragrant ointment. Jesus looks at her lovingly, "Go in peace," He
says, "your sins are forgiven, your faith has saved you." (Luke 7:36-50)
Jesus anointed Mary Magdalene with the message of Peace. Mary Magdalene
had these words indelibly written on her heart as she followed Jesus throughout
his ministry.

Three years later, our Lord is crucified,
and we find Mary Magdalene at the foot of the Cross, with His mother Mary, and
the beloved disciple John. She hears the last words of Christ, is present
at His burial, and witnesses His Resurrection. All this has been
faithfully recorded in the gospel so that we may remember and venerate Saint
Mary Magdalene.

From the Acts of the Apostles, we believe
she witnesses the Ascension of our Lord on Mount Olive, and is in the Cenacle at
Pentecost. For the next twelve years, she accompanies and shares the
lot of the Apostles. Then, during the persecution of the Christians,
according to oral tradition, she leaves Palestine with Martha, Lazarus and
several disciples. The little group of pilgrims crosses the Mediterranean
in a small boat and lands in France. They come ashore in a port near
Marseilles, and Lazarus remains there. Martha travels inland and her
saintly remains are now in Tarascon. The family of Christ, on pilgrims'
feet, has come to preach the Gospel of Peace!

Mary Magdalene adopts a contemplative life,
and lives in peace in the hills of La Saint Baume, about 40 miles northeast of
Marseille, where she spent the remainder of her life. Some of her
companions were Maximin, Sidonius, Suzanna and Marcella, who helped to
Christianize those parts of ancient France.

Mary Magdalene died around the year 75 and
was buried by Maximin in the crypt of his chapel in Villalata, later renamed St.
Maximin. Between the third and fourth century, her body was placed
in a magnificent white marble tomb, and remained therein until the year
710. The Cassian Monks had founded their Monastery in St. Maximin in 415
and were the guardians of the Magdalene relics. But when the
Saracens invaded France, destroying all Christian symbols, the Monks transferred
the relics to a more modest tomb for safety reasons. Before fleeing, they
completely buried the tomb and their chapel. When the invaders left in
973, nothing could be found of the relics, though many searches were
made.

On December 9, 1279, Charles, nephew of King
Louis IX of France (who was canonized as St. Louis) finally uncovered the
remains of St. Mary Magdalene. The transfer of the remains was made to the
crypt on May 5, 1280. On July 22, the Feast day of St. Mary
Magdalene, her relics were taken in procession through the streets of St.
Maximin to the joy of pilgrims. This was the beginning of hundreds of
years and thousands of pilgrims paying homage to Saint Mary Magdalene, the
beloved of Christ, apostle to the apostles, patron of lovers, and bearer of
Peace.

Father Bernard, OP, describes this holy
place:

"During the many years of my priesthood in
the Dominican Order, my eyes have been able to contemplate the delicate head of
Mary Magdalene which is visible behind the screen in the Crypt in St.
Maximin. I am not speaking of a veil, or a statue, or some work of
art, but the true head of Mary Magdalene. And each time I pray in
the Crypt, I remember that this is the woman who shared the Ministry of Christ,
who walked and talked with Him, heard Him preach, felt His touch, stirred His
heart, and saw Him die. And above all, the one who first saw
our Lord risen from the dead. Here, too, in the Crypt stands her
white marble tomb, the tombs of her companions, and reliquaries
containing other precious remains, including strands of her
hair."